Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 24th February, 2021

February 24, 2021 Mary

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Wednesday, 24th February 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday noted that the increase in cybercriminals, online financial fraudsters, and cyber terrorists is causing tension in Nigeria.
Buhari further stated that cyber terrorists are using the internet to cause tension in the country.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina quoted Buhari saying this in a statement titled, ‘Why we must curb criminalities, use internet for national security and economic progress, by President Buhari’, on Tuesday.

Buhari while speaking at the launch of the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021 in Abuja, called for restructuring in the national strategy on cybersecurity.

He called on Nigerians to use the internet for economic growth opportunities, enhancement of knowledge, and mitigation of crime.

The Nigerian Army has confirmed reports that its troops have re-captured Marte and other close communities in Borno State from Boko Haram fighters.

The army spokesperson, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima gave the information on the re-capture in a statement on Tuesday evening.

He disclosed that the troops recovered Marte from the terrorists around 3pm and a fierce battle which resulted in the killing of many insurgents.

Apart from ground assault on the terrorists, Yerima revealed that the army had air support from the Nigerian Air Force.

The Nigerian Senate has on Tuesday confirmed the immediate past service chiefs as non-career ambassadors.

Naija News reports that those confirmed are former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai; former Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin; former Chief of Air Staff, Ibok Ibas; and former Chief of Naval Staff, Abubakar Sadique.

Recall that Buhari had recommended the appointment of all immediate past service chiefs as non-career ambassadors.

The President called on the lawmakers to give quick attention to the recommendation.

The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma on Tuesday in Abuja declared that there was nothing personal in the disagreement between him and his predecessor, Senator Rochas Okorocha.

The Governor who spoke shortly after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa noted that his government was only implementing the recommendations of a committee set up by a former governor, Emeka Ihedioha.

According to him, it was the committee that recommended in its report that all government land and property illegally acquired by individuals should be recovered.

He also denied any knowledge of the accusation by Okorocha that some people were trying to assassinate him.

The lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial district, Smart Adeyemi, on Tuesday, steered reaction in the senate over his comment describing the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu as a “champagne drinking man”.

Adeyemi while speaking on a motion on Safe School Initiative in Nigeria said Abia State is governed by “drunkards”.

The lawmaker stated this while reacting to a post on social media allegedly linked to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who is from Abia.

It was reported that Abaribe in the post attacked the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Abaribe while reacting to the statement of Adeyemi said he is surprised that the lawmaker is making reference to a statement he did not make.

Adeyemi said while some governors were committed to the welfare and protection of their people, leaders in Abia State “are governed by drunkards”.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammad Adamu, has been invited for questioning by the Lagos State judicial panel over a case involving one Adewale Adewuyi, a petitioner who is on a stretcher.

The lawyer to the petitioner, Debo Adeleke, alleged that the police refused to release 26 acres of farmland seized from the petitioner since, 2013.

Adeleke asked the panel to summon the IGP so that the police could be compelled to release the seized farmland.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has ordered the immediate reopening of Shasha market after peace returned to the popular market.

The governor gave the order on Tuesday during a meeting with the Shasa Community leaders, held at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan.

Makinde said following the clash between the Hausa traders and the Yoruba community in the market, the state government thas embarked on peace talks between the warring ethnic groups.

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani has called out those trying to defend the criminal activities of armed bandits in Nigeria.

This is as he warned that the thin line between dialoguing and negotiating with bandits for the sake of peace and justifying their atrocities must not be crossed.

He added that even if the bandits have any grievances, killing and kidnapping innocent citizens is not the solution to their issues.

Sani spoke against the recent backdrop of increased kidnappings and killings by armed bandits in various parts of the country but particularly in the North.

The Ogun State government on Tuesday said that it would soon start arresting and prosecuting illegal occupants of the state forest reserves.

This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Forestry, Tunji Akinosi, while addressing newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital.

He disclosed that traditional rulers have been asked to instruct all illegal occupants to leave or be arrested.

“We have asked those that are illegally occupying our lands to leave, and now we are moving to the second stage of combing the areas ourselves and arresting those that are still residents in the reserve,” Akinosi said.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to impound rickety vehicles plying Nigerian roads and arrest the drivers as well.

The move is based on a directive from the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi to all Commanding Officers across all formations of the Corps nationwide.

The statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday evening by the Corps Public Education Officer Bisi Kazeem said the move is part of efforts to reduce road crashes and accidents in the country.

He noted that apart from impounding such vehicles, the drivers/owners of such vehicles will also face prosecution and punishment may include payment of fines.